Bomb-making materials recovered in Maguindanao

MANILA, Philippines—Items used in making improvised explosive devices were recovered while soldiers were doing clearing operations in Maguindanao, the military said on Friday.

Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said 60 mm mortar fuzes, one plastic container of ammonium nitrate and one roll of electrical wire were found at Sitio Tatapan in Barangay Kitango in Datu Saudi Ampatuan on Thursday.

The soldiers also recovered one ballistic helmet, gun powder, two magazines for an M-16 rifle and a police uniform.

The AFP in coordination with the Philippine National Police will continuously pursue the BIFF bandits who have scampered from intensified law enforcement operations.

The military is doing all-out offensives in Central Maguindanao against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters since last month following the clashes between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and BIFF due to clan wars.

The ongoing operations have killed six soldiers while the military has claimed that 116 persons have been killed or wounded from the BIFF. However, there are only four body counts.

The operations are also going after top Filipino terrorist Basit Usman who escaped a police operation on Jan. 25 in Mamasapano. The botched raid killed 44 police officers and 18 MILF and BIFF members.